Dear Oklahoma,
I didn’t know you on April 19, 1995. But, I know you today. When I think of how you hurt 15 years ago, it hurts my heart. I admire how you honor and remember those affected by the Alfred P. Murrah federal building bombing.
And, I love how you continue to hold onto hope.
So, today, I honor you. I pray for those who are still affected by that day.
And, I remember with you.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
Pregnancy means waking up to pee every hour on the hour. When I woke up at 4:00 am, I just couldn’t drift back off into sleepy town. It happens often these days. It’s usually because of my athlete in training or my mind running ramped of things I need to accomplish. Then, there are times I just wake up and pray. I pray for my children. I pray for Kris. I pray for people in need of healing. I just pray.
It’s easy, especially in this stage of my journey carrying a child, to become self-focused. I still read scriptures. I’m still very aware of God’s presence in my life. But, I can still focus much too much on wanting this baby-carrying journey to end. So, when God centers me again, I want to fall down at the cross and thank Him for it. He does it for me often. He did it again at 4:00 am.
I made a little delivery room playlist on my iPod. The first song on that playlist is Jeremy Riddle’s “Sweetly Broken.” I haven’t been able to get these lyrics out of my head since my little wake-up call:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
I’m so thankful for a Father who continues to beckon me, even when I become self-consumed. I’m so thankful that He allows me to surrender my stuff to Him – sometimes the same stuff more than once or ten times. I’m so thankful I’m in love with Him.
And, that He first loved me.
Sweetly broken. That’s me today.
Filed under prayer, pregnancy, Spiritual Journey
I know alla y’all know Big Mama by now. Do you remember her 94 year old sister, Kate? Here she is.
Well, Aunt Kate fell and broke her sweet, little hip. She is having surgery this morning. According to my momma, she has not lost her ability to “talk up a storm.” As a matter of fact, when the good doctor asked her if her teeth belonged to her, she cleverly pointed to a couple that did. Then, added while pointing to other various teeth, “Now, I don’t know who that one belongs to, or that one, or that one….”
There is only one Aunt Kate. And, one Big Mama. I love them both.
Say a prayer for Aunt Kate today. And, pray for Big Mama who will endure her endless gabbing. Because, she will not leave her side.
Love y’all. Mean it.
I pray that the peace that comes from Christ will rule in your heart. (Colossians 3:15) Today and everyday.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kris, Dusty, John Henry, Anna (and baby Jett)
What do you get when you have Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer all in one room together? Well, certainly not a lack of knowledge of the Bible.
Lord. Have. Mercy.
I enjoyed a great weekend with a few my BS’ers, er, Bible Study gals, at the Deeper Still conference in OKC. We had intended on eating a nice dinner in Bricktown prior to the event on Friday, but by the time we parked, time was a tickin’. Call me spoiled, but concession nachos and cheese are not my idea of a satisfying meal. A Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake maybe. But, not nachos. When we were crossing the street downtown, my friend, Deleise, said, “I smell steak, and it makes me sad.” I suddenly had a strange feeling come over me that we must be sisters.
Deleise and I have a lot in common. She is a reallllly good cook, and I reallllly love good food.
Anyhoo, back to Deeper Still.
Kay Arthur taught the book of Hebrews Friday night. The WHOLE book of Hebrews. So, if y’all have any questions on Hebrews, feel free to call me. I’ll tell you to call Kay Arthur.
I was most excited to hear Beth Moore until Mrs. Priscilla took the stage. I triple heart her. She said a whole lotta goodness, but I especially loved this statement:
“Whether God chooses to do something is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability.”
I always think of Job when I think of the sovereignty of God. You know, the whole “where were you” speech. But key in it all is to never stop praying.
Let’s say that again.
Never stop praying.
Don’t grow weary in praying for that thing you keep praying for. Even when it seems God is not answering. Or even hearing ya. Heavens, how long did Elijah pray for rain? I can’t remember for sure, you’ll have to ask my daddy or Kay Arthur, but I know it was a long time.
Just remember, He can do anything.
And, what concerns you concerns Him. You can put God in a box. But your box will not limit Him. It will just limit your awareness of Him.
He’s bigger than your problem.
And, He is able.
Filed under God Stuff, prayer, Spiritual Journey
Angela, a friend of mine, posted this on Facebook yesterday:
“Had a young client today age 9 who has cancer, and I had to shave her head. She will get her wig from Locks of Love within 4 months. I have thought about her since she left. It makes you stop and thank God for a healthy child.”
It makes me stop and consider how consumed I can become with things that, at the end of the day, really aren’t so significant.
How even when one of my children are home sick with a cold, my life stops and centers on him or her.
How even in our weakness, He is still so very present, and so very strong.
How precious.
How fragile.
How sweet.
Life really is.
Can we all just take a moment out of our day and pray for a little girl most of us have never met?
Father, we lift up this young girl to You. You know her name. You even know the number of hairs on her precious, little head. Touch her body. Heal her. Comfort her. Restore to her health. In Your Name that is above ALL Names.
Amen.
The nurse listened for the heartbeat. There was nothing. She was certain the doctor, skilled and experienced in finding those little heartbeats, would capture it.
There was nothing.
While we knew this was not unusual, our doctor still expressed concern and ordered an immediate ultrasound.
Kris and I waited a grueling forty-five minutes for peace of mind. We sat quietly, but our minds could not have been louder. What if? What happens if we lose this baby? Do we try again? What’s the follow-up procedure?
What if?
I had just written the post on Fear. And, I was feeling it. Those scriptures came swirling through my mind. “When you walk through the fire, I will be there…”
I felt a calmness in the midst of my sudden upheaval. No matter what happened that day, His presence would never leave me. No matter what happened, I would not stop running after my Father.
You see, I decided a long time ago that there were no deal breakers for me following Christ.
None.
My heart beats for Him. For HIS glory. Not mine. And, every single thing and every single person in my life are added blessings. Because, if He never did anything else for me but give me eternity, that would be enough.
But He does more.
Because, He is so good.
Forty-five minutes passed, and we entered the room. The technician placed the instrument on my bare belly, and we looked on a monitor and saw a vibrant, little life.
And heard the sweetest, little heartbeat.
A heart that beats for Him.
So many of you prayed.
Thank you.
We love you all,
Dusty and Kris
Filed under disappointment, God Stuff, gratitude, Motherhood, prayer
Kris: “Remind me to talk to your doctor Thursday about the H1N1 vaccine.”
Me: “Haven’t we already discussed this with him?”
Kris: “Yes, but I need more clarification. There could be over 90,000 U.S. deaths this flu season.”
Thankyousokindly for giving me something else to worry about. It’s not like I’m not already consumed with my Anna’s pre-school assignment on decorating her family shield. A little Hobby Lobby here. Some photo printing there. It’s kind of a big deal, yes?
It’s easy to give into the ugly, four-letter word, FEAR. And, I’m not talking about a pre-school project. I’m talking about things that can create an emotional response to circumstances beyond our control. If I allow it, I can downright talk myself into a fear frenzy. I began doing just that last night while talking to my dad. I briefly paused, and these words fell off my tongue:
“We just need to pray protection.”
Oh, well, there ya go. Let’s invite God in. Swell idea? How often I make God the size of my biggest problem.
He’s bigger.
He’s already told us what to do with our fear. He said our fear can just go straight to hell.
Okay, that’s not exactly what He said. But, He did say this:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
And this:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (Gotta love the KJV)
Oh, and this:
The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
No matter what the day brings, I know I have nothing to fear. Because, nothing can separate me from His presence. When I walk through the waters, He will be there. When I walk through the fire, He never leaves my side.
And, so I say to FEAR: You can go straight to hell.
And, Big Mama would follow that declaration up with a little tongue talkin’.
For real.
Dear John Henry,
You begin first grade today. I can hardly believe it. Really, I can’t. If it weren’t for the fact you’ve lost four teeth, grown another inch, and expanded your vocabulary, I’d swear you are still the little boy in this picture mesmerized by airplanes.
Airplanes don’t capture your attention the way they used to. I’m sure it’s due to the constant exposure and your Daddy Kris being a pilot. Although, I know you still think that being a pilot is cool. You do, right?
It’s okay if airplanes and other things begin to fade from your interest list. What’s important is that your pursuit of Christ doesn’t fade. That being in relationship with your Creator never grows stale. Never gets old.
That He always captures your attention.
I prayed the usual prayer I always pray over you last night. But, just before I said, “Amen,” I prayed something new for you.
I prayed you would begin to hear God’s voice.
You know that feeling you sometimes get to make a good choice instead of a bad choice? Or that feeling you sometimes get to give one of your toys to a friend? Or that feeling you sometimes get to pray for someone? That’s kind of what God’s voice sounds like at times.
I’m praying that His voice becomes clearer and clearer to you.
Familiar.
Comfortable.
Natural.
That’s what I’m praying for you this school year.
I can’t wait to hear what God tells you. I know He will tell you what I tell you so often:
I love you, son.
Filed under God Stuff, Motherhood, parenting, prayer, Spiritual Journey
wife, mother, pastor, writer
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